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Research · Midsize Cars

2003 Audi S8Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2003 Audi S8. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (2) and visibility (1). The EPA rates it 16 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
16mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$5,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2003 Audi S8 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2009 – Jun 2010
  1. Engine and engine cooling2
  2. Visibility1
  3. Power train1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S8 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20033
20073
20085
20092
201313
20146
20156
20166
20211
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

2 reports
“I HAD TWO 2003 AUDI A-6 QUATTROS. BOTH NEEDED CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND TORQUE CONVERTERS..ONE CAT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NEITHER TORQUES WERE UNDER WARRANTY..I THINK YOU SHOULD CHECK INTO VW PROBLEMS WITH CAT CONV AND TORQUE CONVERTERS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 16, 2010Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10310891

Visibility

1 report
“FAILED WINDSHIELD WIPER BEARINGS. REPLACE WITH NEW. MY WIFE'S 2005 QUATRO IS DOING THE SAME THING [XXX]! THEY JUST KEEP SLOWING DOWN AND FINALLY SEIZE -- WIPER DON'T GO. THE BEARING CAN NOT BE LUBRICATED OR SERVICED -- $400 TO PUT IN NEW. AUDI SAYS HAPPENS IN COLD CLIMATES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2010VisibilityODI 10335665

Power train

1 report
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
4.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S8
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$5,000555
  • S8
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Audi S8 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4751
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 S8 questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Audi S8 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.

What are the most common 2003 Audi S8 problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (2), visibility (1), power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Audi S8 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Audi S8 at 16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026